Controls Analysis Engineer
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
Job Summary
The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.
The Control Analysis Department performs satellite and payload attitude control system analysis for a wide variety of programs ranging from CubeSats weighing a few kilograms with prototype payloads to the GPS constellation which countless users rely on every day. This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Controls Analysis Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in providing engineering support on a variety of diverse space programs ranging in the areas of advanced vehicle dynamics, attitude and payload control, and applications of filtering and estimation.
S/he will work closely with internal and external stakeholders supporting all phases of a program lifecycle: conceptual studies, prototyping, source selection, development, and operations.
Participate in architecting, implementation, analysis, and evaluation of spacecraft and payload control systems on a variety of National Security Space programs.
Perform tasks that may include concept development, trade studies, source selections, requirements analyses, risk assessments, design analyses, simulation development, prototyping, test planning and execution, operations support, and anomaly resolution.
Build and maintain relationships with internal & external stakeholders, customers and contractors providing updates in technical design reviews and analysis in interchange meetings.
Research and develop new analysis tools and techniques.
Perform control design, implementation, assessment, and/or testing for civil and commercial customers.
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
Advanced Degree (Master's or PhD) in a STEM field or equivalent is required
(2) or more years of professional experience in one or more of the following: control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or advanced dynamics is required
Proficiency coding in MATLAB/Simulink
Working knowledge of a compiled programming language such as C/C++
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
(5) or more years of professional experience in one or more of the following: control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or advanced dynamics is preferred
Experience programming with Python, Git, Docker, Linux Bash, ROS, Gazebo, and/or Swift
Experience with one or more of the following:
Spacecraft attitude determination and control
Payload pointing estimation and control
Advanced control techniques and applications
Kalman filtering and stochastic processes
Modeling and simulation of control systems
Multibody and flexible body dynamics
Implementation, testing, deploying, and calibration of control systems
Cubesat or smallsat attitude determination and control design and operations
Mobile robotics, guidance algorithms, computer vision, image processing, point-cloud analysis
Experience with simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), extended/unscented Kalman filters (EKF/UKFs)
Data Science, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, optimization
Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.
Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
- 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
- Flexible spending accounts
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Relocation assistance
- Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
- Education assistance programs
- An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.